Police Comission looks to address safety concerns at town intersection

Published
7:00 pm EST, Wednesday, November 11, 2009

WILTON

By KARA O'CONNOR

Hour Staff Writer

In the past few months, a number of Wilton residents have expressed their concern with the safety of the intersection of routes 106 and 53. Even though increased police enforcement has been recommended by the state Department of Transportation, the Wilton Police Commission is saying that something else needs to be done.

Police commissioner Matt Mason said the panel understands that many residents are unhappy with the intersection, but since both roads are state-owned, the Town of Wilton doesn't have much control over the situation.

"There is only so much that we have the ability and jurisdiction to do with this intersection," he said. "I think we need to continue to talk to the state about this."

During Monday night's Police Commission meeting, Wilton Police Chief Michael Lombardo said he has spoken to DOT about the intersection several times, and state officials are not in favor of putting up another stop sign.

"The state has been to this intersection many times," said Lombardo. "They told me that putting up a stop sign (on Route 106) would just make the conditions on both roads worse."

At the police department's request, DOT has carried out two safety studies in the past year at the intersection, he said. The first study involved decreasing speed limits, and the second study involved increasing officer enforcement, said Lombardo.

"The state said that decreasing the speed limit on both roads would not get drivers to slow down," said Lombardo. "The state suggested the best thing that our department could do was add more enforcement on the roads to make sure vehicles are abiding by the speed limit, which is what we are doing when we have the available manpower."

Lombardo said there have been four accidents at the intersection in a five-year period. Out of the four accidents, three have involved one car rear-ending another car on Cedar Road (Route 53), he said.

Instead of a stop sign, Mason suggested a warning sign should be put up at the intersection, stating "Intersection Ahead." Commissioner Mark Ketley said the warning sign idea is a good one.

"I don't see a problem putting up a warning sign at this intersection," said Ketley. "I think that we should bring this idea up to the state and see what they think."

Mason said that the best option right now is to have the state look at the intersection one more time and recommend a warning sign be put up.

"We will request that the state DOT reexamine this situation," said Mason. "Hopefully they will agree putting a warning sign up is a good idea -- that's really all we can do."

Among the residents who have been vocal about their concern with the intersection is Wilton actor and talk radio host Charles Grodin. In September, Grodin organized a meeting with town officials and other Wilton residents to discuss the intersection at the Wilton Library.

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